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Build Last-Minute Confidence for MCAT Success

By U.S. News & World Report

You are going to apply for medical school. You have taken the bold and crucial step of studying to sit for the MCAT.

Months before beginning to study, smart students will have spoken with their peers who have taken the exam for their views and recommendations for study materials, and implemented their tips. Reaffirming a test-taker’s confidence in the last week is an important part of the MCAT preparation process.

Now is not the time to change study techniques by introducing a new format, podcast or video. Avoid wholesale changes in study techniques the week before.

Take the material you have used to study — note cards, flash cards, lists of answers to frequently missed questions or study guides — and solidify your knowledge. The months of study and preparation can be optimized by careful preparation in the waning days before the exam.

Now, make sure your hard work pays off and you don’t undo your careful preparation in the final days before the exam.

— Seven days before the exam: Be well rested. Sleep deprivation reduces focus and attention, which can adversely affect your MCAT score. Plan ahead to get enough rest.

The night before is too late to go to bed early to try and get a good night’s sleep as you will be anxious about a number of test day worries, such as the exam itself, the possibility of sleeping through your alarm, the drive to the testing center and more.

Read the rules set out by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the organization behind the test, to identify which items are allowed and prohibited at the testing center.

[Learn last-minute tips to study smart for the MCAT.]

— Three days before the exam: Map and travel to the testing center by the mode of transportation you will be using on exam day.

Depart early, as if it is the day of the test. Identify where you can park, or which subway or bus stop is close to the testing center. Enter the building and find the room where the test will take place.

— One day before the exam: Focus on being centered and calm. Avoid contact — phone calls, texts or in-person interactions — with those who make you nervous or who carry a cloud of negativity. Today it is especially important to have only positive people around you.

Have an early end to your study day. If you don’t know the information now, it’s probably too late. You will only confuse the knowledge you do have and make yourself more anxious. Set a study cutoff time to allow time to decompress prior to test day.

Gather all the items you will need on test day — your ID, keys and other required items — and place them in the normal spot you have for items you need to grab before leaving the house. Facilitate an easy and uneventful departure on exam morning.

[Succeed on the longer MCAT with these three tips.]

Choose your clothes. Keep your attire comfortable and flexible for cold or hot rooms. Take a light sweater or jacket in case the room temperature is not to your liking.

Don’t eat foods that may upset your stomach, or try something new.

Go to bed at a normal bedtime. Set a backup alarm with a parent, or a trusted roommate or friend.

[Find out what to do once the MCAT is over.]

— Exam day: Carry brain food, such as nuts, hard cheese, protein bars or other nonperishable foods high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Candy bars and the like may cause your energy levels to peak quickly and then crash and burn equally as fast. You cannot bring food into the testing room, but can store it in an assigned locker.

Upon waking, envision a successful day. If you are a morning coffee or tea drinker, enjoy your usual amount. Depart early, and leave the study guide at home. It’s not allowed in the testing room, but mostly, trust that you are prepared.

Upon arrival, take three deep breaths and march confidently to your destiny.

More from U.S. News

Set a Summer Study Schedule for the MCAT

Prospective Medical Students Weigh In on the New MCAT

3 Ways to Help Test-Takers Sit for the Longer MCAT

Build Last-Minute Confidence for MCAT Success originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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